Schneider's Skink

The Schneider's Skink can be an excellent choice as a pet, even for those individuals who have had little or no experience with reptiles. If children are going to be handling the skink, it should be done under adult supervision. Generally, the Schneider's Skink can be kept in a 50-Gallon long tank fairly comfortably, though the tank should have a screen lid, in order to provide fresh air for the skink. A 4x2x2 foot tank is ideal. It is important that the Schneider's Skink be kept singly, unless the two skinks in the tank are a mating pair. Two Schneider's Skinks of the same sex should not be kept in the same tank. The tank housing the skink should be kept warm and dry. These Skinks need lots of hiding places and will sometimes move piles of sand.

The body of the Schneider's Skink is quite long, and it has a small, pointed head. The legs are small and the feet are clawed. The tail is quite long as well, and can grow back if broken off. The Schneider's Skink is usually tan colored with yellow spots. Males tend to be slightly more brilliantly colored than the females.

A native of northern Africa, the Schneider's Skink is found to inhabit hot, dry areas that can be sandy or rocky. Generally, vegetation is sparse and there is little water. The scientific name for the Schneider's Skink is Novoeumeces schneider or Eumeces schneider as named by Taylor, but was first classified as Scincus schneideri and was first identified in 1802 by Daudin. Today they most often classified as Novoeumeces schneider, but the older Eumeces schneider is still seen. Most Schneider's Skinks in the pet trade are imported from Africa.



Specific Care Information:

It is important that the Schneider's Skink have ultraviolet lighting 12-14 hours a day. The daytime temperature for the tank should be around 75-85 degrees, the nighttime temperature should be 65-75 degrees and there should be a "basking spot", or an area on one end of the tank that reaches temperatures over 105 degrees. A water dish with fresh water should always be provided. The Schneider's Skink should be fed a diet consisting of grubs, mealworms, superworms, and crickets. On occasion, the skink can be fed newborn mice (pinky mice) or canned monitor food. The skink should be fed three to four times a week, although if the skink is a juvenile, it can be fed daily during its growing period. Additionally, the insects should be dusted with calcium powder.

The Schneider's Skink may not be as suitable as some other species for beginners since most of them are wild caught, and wild caught individuals often have parasites. If you are lucky enough to find a captive bred individual care is often easier for this reason.